Both SVG and PNG are popular for logos and icons, but they work in completely different ways. Choosing correctly means sharper graphics and lighter pages.
Raster vs vector
- PNG is raster. It is a grid of coloured pixels. Enlarge it too much and it turns blurry or blocky.
- SVG is vector. It describes shapes, lines and colours mathematically, so it can be scaled to any size and stays perfectly sharp.
Comparison
| SVG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Scales without blur | Yes | No |
| Best for | Logos, icons, simple illustrations | Screenshots, graphics with textures |
| Photos | No | Possible but large |
| File size for simple graphics | Tiny | Larger |
| Editable in code | Yes | No |
| Animation and styling with CSS | Yes | No |
| Supported everywhere | Browsers, most design tools | Everything |
Use SVG when
- the graphic is a logo, icon, chart or simple illustration
- it must look sharp on every screen, including high-density displays
- you want to change colours with CSS or animate it
- you want the smallest possible file
Use PNG when
- the image is a screenshot or has complex textures and gradients
- the destination does not accept SVG (many social networks, email clients and print forms)
- you need pixel-exact output at a fixed size
Convert between them
- Need an SVG as a normal picture? SVG to PNG lets you pick the exact size and a transparent background. SVG to JPG fills the background.
- Have a simple PNG or JPG logo you want as a vector? Image to SVG traces it into scalable shapes. It works best on flat-colour artwork.
- Shrink your SVGs with the SVG Compressor, which strips editor metadata and extra decimals.
SVG on the web: tips
- Inline small icons or use an img tag with a
.svgfile. - Always set a
viewBoxso the graphic scales correctly. - Optimize every SVG before publishing.
- Provide a PNG fallback if you support very old software.
- Be careful with SVGs from untrusted sources, because they can contain scripts.
What about favicons?
Modern browsers accept SVG favicons, but keep an ICO and PNG as fallbacks. The Favicon Generator makes the full set.
Rule of thumb
If it was drawn, use SVG. If it was photographed or screenshotted, use JPG, PNG or WebP.
How they differ
SVG describes shapes with maths, so it stays razor sharp at any size and is usually tiny. PNG stores pixels, so it is best for photos, textures and screenshots but gets blurry when enlarged.
When to choose SVG
- Logos, icons and simple illustrations
- Anything that must look sharp on every screen, including high-density displays
- Graphics you want to animate or style with CSS
When to choose PNG
- Screenshots and anything with fine detail
- Artwork with complex gradients or textures
- Places that do not accept SVG, such as many social networks and email clients
Converting between them
Turn a vector into pixels with SVG to PNG. Go the other way with image to SVG, which works best on simple, high-contrast logos rather than photographs. Always keep the original vector file.
Make SVGs lighter
Design tools add comments, editor data and long coordinates. SVG optimise removes the extras and often cuts the file size by a third or more. For a PNG fallback, shrink it with PNG to WebP.
Be careful with SVGs from unknown sources, since they can contain scripts. Only upload SVGs you trust.
Frequently asked questions
Is SVG better than PNG for logos?
Usually yes. SVG stays sharp at any size and the files are tiny. Use PNG when the destination does not accept SVG.
Can I convert a PNG to SVG?
Simple flat-colour artwork can be traced into SVG. Photos produce huge, posterized results and are not a good fit.
Are SVG files safe?
SVGs can contain scripts, so only use files from sources you trust and optimize them before publishing.
Do all websites accept SVG?
Browsers do, but many social networks, email clients and upload forms do not, so keep a PNG version too.
